Franciscan East Asia

ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR

EASTASIA

FRANCISCANS

Myanmar Foundation of

St. Francis of Assisi

No 10, 6 Ward, Bohmu Ba Htoo Road, East Dagon, Yangon, Myanmar

ofmmyanmar@gmail.com

STATISTICS

OFFICES

COMMUNITIES

Brief History

On November 16, 1979, The General Definitory asked Anselm Moons (Definitor General) and Mel Braddy (Mission Seceretary) to prepare a “pro memoris”, which was discussed in consultation with P. Joycelyn Madden, Prefect Apostolic of Burma. It was decided: to ask the English-speaking Conference to be responsible for this project, and to ask Moons and Brady to prepare something for discussion at the future meetings of the General Definitory, It seemed no follow was made.

"The Foundation aims to respond to the needs of the Church in Myanmar, such as counseling, spiritual direction, spiritual retreat to the clergy, the religious and lay people, and human development. And try to implant the order in Myanmar. "

Foundation Mission Statement

Cardinal Charles Bo SDB, sent invitation letter to General Minister, Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, 23 October 2004.

After the invitation letter, 30 October – 2 November 2004, Fr. Ambrosio Van Si and Fr. Vincezo Brocanelli to visit Yangon, Myanmar.

3 May 2005, General Minister of the Order, declared the new Franciscan foundation in Myanmar.

In the same time, General Minister appointed Fr. Ambrosio Van Si Nguyen OFM, as a delegate of the foundation.

In the same session in General Curia, appointed president of the foundation, Fr. Jaime Yakit OFM from San Pedro Bautista Province, the Philippines.

8 June 2005, The first members of the foundation, Fr. Jaime Yakit OFM, Fr. John-Francis, Peter Tri OFM from Vietnam Province were gathered in Franciscan Friary in Bangkok. Fr. Ambrosio and Vincenzo gave the orientation and preparation sessions. On June 2005, Fr. John and Jaime arrived in Yangon to begin the OFM Myanmar Project. Fr. Peter was in Manila, Philippines, awaiting for his diaconal ordination. The brothers were temporarily residing at the FMM’s guest-house in Yangon until the OFM house is ready for occupancy.

June 2004, The General Definitory, through Ambrosio Van Si Nguyen, Definitor General for Asia, presented the plan to open a Franciscan presence in Myanmar to the meetings of FCAO. The Ministers present at these meetings agreed to present this matter to their respective provinces and ask for volunteers.
4-7 September 2004, Fr. Ambrosio Van Si, went to Myanmar to see the possibility of starting a Franciscan Presence there. He met the Archbishop of Yangon who was very supportive to our plan to start a Franciscan Presence in Myanmar. He also expressed his intention to present a formal letter of request to the Minister General.

Cardinal Charles Bo SDB, sent invitation letter to General Minister, Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, 23 October 2004.
After the invitation letter, 30 October – 2 November 2004, Fr. Ambrosio Van Si and Fr. Vincezo Brocanelli to visit Yangon, Myanmar.

Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
-St. Francis of Assisi

Since 2005, the foundation tried to establish SFO in Myanmar. But there are some difficulties to give the formation in English and Changing the in-charge Friar for SFO
In 2012, we started recruited the members, and 2014, members made the Frist Profession with General Mistress of SFO
2016, Augustine Yoon OFS, General Definitor of SFO and the mass was presided by Fr. Greg OFM.

Fr. John Nyen Gia Thin OFM, transfer to Thailand Foundation, 12, June, 2016

Administration

Br. Basil, HEO JEONGMIN OFM

Foundation President

Foundation of St. Francis of Assisi, Myanmar